Oct 10 (Reuters) - Futures tied to Canada's main stock

index were little changed on Friday as investors adopted a

cautious stance ahead of domestic jobs data that could offer

clues on the prospects for additional interest rate cuts by the

Bank of Canada.

December futures on the S&P/TSX index were down

0.05% at 5:21 a.m. ET (0921 GMT).

Canada's employment report for September, due at 8:30 a.m.

ET, is expected to show the economy added 5,000 jobs and the

unemployment rate rose to 7.2%.

Traders are leaning toward an interest rate cut at the BoC's

next policy announcement on October 29, after the central bank

cut rates last month for the first time since March to support

the economy.

In the U.S., a preliminary reading of the University of

Michigan's consumer sentiment survey is expected later in the

day. It could carry extra weight because of the official data

blackout.

Back home, the S&P/TSX composite index stumbled to

a one-week low on Thursday as gold's price retreat weighed

heavily on mining stocks.

Despite reaching an all-time high earlier this week, the

index appears poised to close the week with marginal losses due

to Thursday's pullback.

Nevertheless, Canada's resource-heavy benchmark has surged

22.4% this year, primarily buoyed by high commodity prices,

especially the rally in gold.

The yellow metal edged higher on Friday, after surging past

the $4,000-an-ounce mark earlier this week. It has gained 51.9%

so far this year.

Silver also rose after touching a record high of

$51.22 in the previous session.

On the flip side, oil prices, declined as the

market's risk premium faded after Israel and Hamas agreed to the

first phase of a plan to end the war in Gaza.

In corporate news, JPMorgan upgraded mining company First

Quantum Minerals' ( FQVLF ) rating to 'overweight' from 'neutral'.

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